I posted this at the serial info forum, but thought I'd copy it over here.

Hello all, newbie here. Not only new to Alembic, but new to bass as well. I'm an old guitarist of many years and have decided to take on bass as a new musical avenue to explore. I have always loved Alembic since their first ads in Guitar Player magazine. Right up there with Moonstone. These are special. John Entwistle is in my top 5 bassists, so hearing and seeing him play his models up close and personal was really inspiring and I've wanted one all this time. This one I just scored is an Essence 4, all maple, quilt top and fretless. Not only is this my first Alembic, but my first fretless! It's incredible. You learn to play with your ears rather than by sight with the frets and markers landscape. It immediately takes me to Mingus or Ron Carter territory. I also have a Ric 4003, a Fender MIJ '53 Precision reissue Sting model and a Carvin LB70 (I'm a Carvin fanatic!).

The links to my newly acquired basses along with their stories and info requests, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Yes, I bought the bass from the same guy, Kent. He's GREAT to deal with! We exchanged several emails about everything from bass to his living here in San Francisco in the old days. He shipped immediately and it's even better than I expected, minty as can be. I told him he's drivin' me crazy with all the others he has for sale and the temptation is excruciating! I'm sticking with 4 stringers for now, though. He travels a lot apparently, not as a musician, but a production guy of some sort in the music world. Make him a fair offer, he's flexible. ;-)

John, Welcome to the club and congrats on getting your Alembics. I'm so sorry about the bad luck you have had with the Epic. I can't imagine someone being so abusive to a nice instrument. I have one just like it, flame maple top and all. I love it. Mine has a little bit of buckle rash which I can kindof understand, but someone causing so much damage to the top is just too much to think about. Again, welcome. Rich